Which Teams Have Qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

The excitement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already building, as teams from around the globe begin to secure their spots for the biggest football tournament in the world. With the competition expanding to feature 48 teams for the first time in history, the qualification process is intense and more inclusive, offering new opportunities for emerging football nations.

Host Nations Automatically Qualified

As is tradition, the host nations receive automatic qualification. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by three countries — a historic first in tournament history.

• United States
• Canada
• Mexico

This trio of North American nations will showcase matches across various iconic cities, giving fans an unforgettable football experience.

How World Cup 2026 Qualification Works

The new World Cup format features more teams and provides additional qualification spots per region. Here’s a breakdown of continental allocations:

• AFC (Asia): 8 direct slots + 1 play-off slot
• CAF (Africa): 9 direct slots + 1 play-off slot
• CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean): 6 direct slots (including 3 hosts)
• CONMEBOL (South America): 6 direct slots + 1 play-off slot
• OFC (Oceania): 1 direct slot + 1 play-off slot
• UEFA (Europe): 16 direct slots

This restructured format aims to ensure global representation and competitiveness among the 48 participating teams.

Confirmed Teams for the 2026 World Cup (So Far)

As qualification processes continue around the world, the officially confirmed teams as of now are the co-hosting nations:

• United States
• Canada
• Mexico

More teams will be added over the coming months as regional qualifiers are completed.

What’s Next?

Fans can expect a steady stream of qualification matches across every confederation in 2024 and 2025, leading up to the complete list of 48 competing nations. Keep an eye on official FIFA announcements and regional tournaments for the latest updates.

Whether you're cheering for a traditional football powerhouse or hoping for a Cinderella story, the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is well underway—and it promises to be one of the most exciting tournaments yet.